About Alabama State Parks

The Alabama State Parks Division operates and maintains 22 state parks encompassing approximately 48,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains providing opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurant and golfing areas.

Mission: To acquire and preserve natural areas; to develop, furnish, operate and maintain recreational facilities, and to extend the public’s knowledge of the state’s natural environment.

Goals:

To manage and operate the parks system in an economically sound and efficient manner on the most self-sustaining basis possible.

To provide and maintain high quality facilities and services to meet the needs of visitors; to provide an opportunity for personal growth and development of individuals through outdoor experiences.

To promote use of state parks facilities.

To preserve unique natural features and integrity of state parks for future generations.

To promote good will and enhance the public image of Alabama, and the Alabama State Parks through dedicated, courteous employees.

In 2014, the Alabama State Parks system celebrated 75 years of service. Seventy-five years of vigilance and dedicated effort has produced a parks system with three major resort park facilities that are capable of lodging and hosting large group events within the tranquil outdoor settings at Joe Wheeler, Guntersville and Lakepoint state parks. Similar but smaller opportunities are offered at DeSoto and Cheaha state parks. Camping opportunities abound, with 20 of the 22 parks offering more than 2,500 modern campsites, cabins and related amenities.

The recreational opportunities are equally impressive. Sixteen of the 22 parks offer extensive public access to outstanding waterways that host boating, fishing, water skiing, wildlife viewing and other related opportunities. The parks are rich with trails that accommodate biking, horseback riding, hiking and backpacking, as well as running and walking. Two parks host some of the most spectacular cave features in the southeastern United States. Golf courses are offered at six of the parks. Geocaching and birding trails have become popular new activities.

To help educate people on the historical significance and economic impact of the Alabama State Parks we created the brochure below.

Over the last 20 years, the Alabama State Park system has hosted a consistent visitation rate of 4 to 5 million customer occurrences each year, demonstrating that people love their parks. This same park system has consistently been recognized as being one of the most efficient in the nation, with 80 to 90 percent of the annual funding coming from customer fees, not taxes. These achievements did not happen by accident. They are the result of 75 years of dedicated effort on the part of our elected officials, park employees, local partners and of course, the loving patronage of our park customers.

Dog-Friendly Policies at Alabama State Park

We love dogs and we understand that our visitors travel and vacaion with their entire family, including their dogs. They are always welcome on a leash and we offer some dog-friendly overnight accomdations to make your stay more enjoyable.

Alabama State Parks hires people who enjoy working with the public in an outdoor setting. Working for Alabama State Parks involves weekend and holiday work but can be very rewarding for someone who enjoys providing guests with gracious hospitality in a fun environment.

All jobs with Alabama State Parks fall into two categories: Hourly or Merit

Hourly employees are hired at each park by the park staff. The rate of pay is determined by the type work performed. Most hourly employment is seasonal and will end during the slow business periods for parks. There are some full-time hourly positions that offer paid insurance and retirement after one year of employment. To apply for these positions download the employment application form and mail the completed form to any of the Alabama State Parks of your choice.

Salaried or merit positions are filled by selecting an employee from an employment register established by theAlabama State Personnel Department. When vacancies in a particular job classification occur, Alabama State Parks request an employment classification register from the Alabama State Personnel Department. The Alabama State Parks Division contacts candidates by letter and conducts interviews of the candidates pulled from that register. Employment classification registers are either opened periodically or are continuously open. Applications for the registers that are not currently open will not be accepted by State Personnel, but applicants are placed on a mailing list to be contacted when the register for a specific job classification opens. Applications for continuous registers are accepted at any time.

Most of these registers may require some type of experience in the recreation field. Other merit system positions may be available at specific parks; applicants can find listings of these jobs at the State of Alabama Personnel Website or at your local State Employment Office.

Employment with Alabama State Parks is on an equal opportunity, merit basis, without regard to sex, race, age, religion, disability, color, or national origin.